Senior News June, 2003 Vol. 22. No. 6

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Habitat houses build more than structures, they build relationships

Funeral Alliance recommends "last bills" account

Peace workshops planned

Help others, enjoy being part of the solution

Mary Beth Wolford credited with many positive changes at HSRC

Second senior needs meeting set June 14

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Food Bank's Gleaning Program
Help others, enjoy being part of the solution
by Sarah Hoskinson

The Food for People Gleaning Program has worked to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to hungry citizens in Humboldt County for three years. The Gleaning Program is a food recovery initiative that seeks to harvest excess or unmarketable produce and distribute it to people in need. Through the gracious efforts of our volunteer gleaners and the generosity of area farmers, we have recovered and distributed more than 33,000 pounds of surplus produce since 2001. We invite you to join our Gleaning Program by helping in any of the following ways:

* Volunteer your time as a gleaner, harvesting produce for the Food Bank at area farms. Gleaning is a great activity for people of all ages. It provides a wonderful source of exercise as well as a sense of accomplishment knowing that you have recovered vital, healthy food for neighbors in need.

* If you are a farmer, invite the Food Bank's insured volunteers to come glean when you have excess or unmarketable produce. Alternately, we can pick up any surplus you have already harvested or you can drop it by the Food Bank (307 W. 14th Street in Eureka).

* Become a member of our Plant a Row Program. Plant an extra row of vegetables in your home garden and donate them to the Food Bank.

* Make a monetary donation to the Gleaning Program. Donations are needed to secure harvesting equipment as well as to cover the costs of transporting and storing produce.

* Spend time maintaining community garden spaces that Food for People sponsors. These spaces provide the opportunity for individuals without land to plant their own gardens.

We acknowledge the generosity of these local farms & farmers: Arcata Educational Farm, Arrington Apples, Blue Lake Beet Farm, Brewer's Apples, Camp Grant Ranch, Chad Creek Produce, Brian Fuhrman, Greg Holder Farms, Neeta Hulbert, Fieldbrook Valley Apple Farm, Freya's Garden, Northfolk Organic Orchard, Potawot Garden, Redwood Roots, Bill Reynolds, Surf's Up, Pedal Power Produce, Potter's Produce, Warren Creek Farms, Wrigley Farms, Willow Pond Organic Farm.

Sarah Hoskinson is Gleaning Program Coordinator for Food for People. Contact her at 707-445-3166 or e-mail ffpgleaning@ yahoo.com. Read more about the Food Bank at www.foodforpeople.org.